Poor/Unsatisfactory Basic/Satisfactory Solid/Good Expert/Excellent

 
(N/A) (N/A) (N/A) (N/A)

Content Poor/Unsatisfactory Basic/Satisfactory Solid/Good Expert/Excellent

The essay illustrates poor
understanding of the course
material by (1) failing to address or
incorrectly addressing the relevant
content; (2) failing to identify or
inaccurately explaining/defining
key concepts/ideas; (3) ignoring or
incorrectly explaining key
points/claims and the reasoning
behind them; and (4) incorrectly or
inappropriately using terminology.
The essay illustrates rudimentary
understanding of the course material
by: (1) mentioning, but not fully
explaining, the relevant content; (2)
identifying some of the key
concepts/ideas (though failing to fully
or accurately explain many of them);
(3) using terminology, though
sometimes inaccurately or
inappropriately; and (4) incorporating
some key claims/points, but failing to
explain the reasoning behind them (or
doing so inaccurately).
The essay illustrates solid
understanding of the course
material by correctly: (1)
addressing most of the relevant
content; (2) identifying and
explaining most of the key
concepts/ideas; (3) using correct
terminology; (4) explaining the
reasoning behind most of the key
points/claims; and (5) (where
necessary or useful)
substantiating some points with
accurate examples.
The essay illustrates exemplary
understanding of the course
material by thoroughly and
correctly: (1) addressing the
relevant content; (2) identifying
and explaining all of the key
concepts/ideas; (3) using correct
terminology; (4) explaining the
reasoning behind key
points/claims; and (5) (where
necessary or useful) substantiating
points with several accurate and
original examples.

Reasoning Poor/Unsatisfactory Basic/Satisfactory Solid/Good Expert/Excellent

The essay reflects substandard or
poor reasoning by: (1) failing to
synthesize the material or doing so
inaccurately; (2) failing to make
connections between
ideas/claims/points or doing so
inaccurately; and (3) failing to
evaluate the issue or problem.
The essay reflects basic reasoning by:
(1) synthesizing some of the material,
though remains vague and
undeveloped; (2) making a few
connections between
ideas/claims/points, but ignoring or
inaccurately connecting others; (3)
evaluating the issue/problem at a very
basic/superficial level; and (4) ignoring
assumptions and implications.
The essay reflects fairly strong
reasoning by:
(1) synthesizing material, (2)
making appropriate connections
between some of the key
ideas/claims/points; (3)
accurately evaluating the
issue/problem; and (4)
identifying ad discussing key
assumptions and/or implications.
The essay reflects expert
reasoning by:
(1) synthesizing material; (2)
making connections between
relevant ideas/claims/points; (3)
presenting an insightful and
thorough evaluation of the
relevant issue or problem; (4)
identifying and discussing
important nuances in the relevant
material; and (5) identifying and
discussing key assumptions and/or
implications.

Writing Poor/Unsatisfactory Basic/Satisfactory Solid/Good Expert/Excellent

The essay does not communicate
ideas/points clearly due to: (1)
inappropriate use of terminology
and vague language; (2) reliance on
disjointed and incomprehensible
thoughts and clauses; and (3) lack
of recognizable organization.
The essay is often unclear and difficult
to follow due to: (1) some
inappropriate terminology and/or
vague language; (2) ideas sometimes
being fragmented, wondering and/or
repetitive; and (3) poor organization.
The essay is mostly clear as a
result of: (1) appropriate use of
terminology and minimal
vagueness; (2) minimal number
of tangents and lack of
repetition; and (3) fairly good
organization
The essay is clear, and concise as
a result of: (1) appropriate and
precise use of terminology; (2)
absence of tangents and coherence
of thoughts; and (3) logical
organization of ideas and thoughts.